November 29, (THEWILL) – Liverpool face an injury crisis as both goalkeeper, Alisson Becker and forward, Diogo Jota, face spells on the sidelines after picking up knocks during the Reds’ recent 1-1 draw with Manchester City. Manager, Jurgen Klopp, confirmed on Wednesday that both players will miss upcoming matches, with Alisson’s injury considered less severe.
The Reds will be without the Brazilian shot-stopper for at least two weeks, ruling him out of UEFA Europa League and English Premier League clashes over the next week. Meanwhile, Jota’s injury appears more serious, with no clear timeline currently set for the Portuguese star’s return. Both absences come at a critical period as Liverpool sits just two points behind current EPL leaders Arsenal.
With first-choice keeper Alisson out, deputy, Caoimhin Kelleher, is now set for an extended run in the team as he steps up to fill the void. Kelleher has made just five appearances across all competitions this campaign but now has an opportunity to showcase his ability. Liverpool will be hoping the young Irishman can maintain his level until Alisson returns, which is expected to be in time for their blockbuster league clash at home to old rivals Manchester United on December 17.
In the immediate future, Jurgen Klopp’s men host Austrian side LASK in the Europa League on Thursday, followed by three EPL matches in six days. Securing victory against LASK would confirm Liverpool as Group E winners with a game to spare if French club Toulouse fail to beat Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise. Klopp will be demanding a reaction from his squad following last month’s shock 3-2 defeat away to Toulouse.
With a congested run of crucial games on the horizon, Liverpool cannot afford further injuries if they are to mount a genuine title challenge this season. Yet, the absence of Alisson and Jota will undoubtedly test squad depth over the coming weeks.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
